Bryn Hammond: 7 books

A case study in the craft of historical fiction. My experience, as a novelist, between the primary sources and the historians. This essay is both an interpretation of The Secret History of the Mongols, and a commentary on one creative writer’s interactions with the body of secondary work on this...

In the steppes of High Asia, the year 1188… ‘Jamuqa rode his trophy mare, off-white, black-pointed, on a Tartar seat, high arches of ornamental silver fore and aft. He wore a winterfur of snow leopard, near white with black whorls. The effect was kingly and fantastic: he might be Irle Khan...

In the steppes of High Asia, the year 1166… ‘What is a Mongol? – As free as the geese in the air, as in unison. The flights of the geese promise us we don’t give up independence, to unite.’ The hundred tribes of the Mongols have come together with one aim: to push back against...

'Mother Hoelun was never ashamed or embarrassed by their hardships. When Jochi wore a dog’s pelt for a cloak, because they had no fleeces and no felt and had to trade for hides and dog was cheap, none of the children felt a sense of indignity. Indignity was alien to her.' The Mongols are...

Is he Saint Tchingis? Has he grown a monster? Perceptions differ. From the arse end of the steppe, out of nowhere, now he towers over other kings. The other kings club together, as he threatens the very idea of aristocracy, in a last stand of the steppe against Tchingis. Where does old Toghrul...

‘Jamuqa had witnessed, aged fifteen, his tribe strung up on trees. Perhaps you have to go one further.’ Jamuqa is mad, and commits an atrocity in challenge of Temujin. His actions – that might have more to do with how he feels about his oath-brother – plunge the Mongols into intertribal...

“Imagine you had a prophecy you’re the advent of the Promised One, the Right Guide and the Champion of Light. You’d believe that, right? And if you didn’t, you’d love to meet people who do.” Temujin has an awkward time with the prophecy about him and he’s happy to remain unknown....